Thermally stabilized fastener system and method

ABSTRACT

A thermally stabilized fastener system and method is disclosed. The disclosed system/method integrates a fastener (FAS) incorporating a faster retention head (FRH), fastener retention body (FRB), and fastener retention tip (FRT) to couple a mechanical member stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retention receiver (FRR). The MMS includes a temperature compensating member (TCM), a first retention member (FRM), and an optional second retention member (SRM). The TCM is constructed using a tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TTC) that permits the TCM to compensate for the thermal expansion characteristics of the FAS, FRM, and SRM such that the force applied by the FRH and FRR portions of the FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force profile (TFP) over changes in MMS/FAS temperature. The TCM may be selected with a TTC to achieve a uniform TFP over changes in MMS/FAS temperature.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Divisional Patent Application

This patent application is a Divisional Patent Application (DIV) andincorporates by reference United States Utility Patent Application forTHERMALLY STABILIZED FASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James AlanMonroe, Jeremy Sean McAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with theUSPTO on Jan. 6, 2020, with Ser. No. 16/735,587, EFS ID 38218309,confirmation number 5182, docket AZTES.0104, issued as U.S. Pat. No.11,506,238 on 2022 Nov. 22.

U.S. Patent Applications

United States Utility Patent Application for THERMALLY STABILIZEDFASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, Jeremy SeanMcAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO on Jan. 6,2020, with Ser. No. 16/735,587, EFS ID 38218309, confirmation number5182, docket AZTES.0104, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,506,238 on 2022 Nov.22 is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) and incorporates by reference UnitedStates Utility Patent Application for CONTROLLED THERMAL COEFFICIENTPRODUCT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, Ibrahim (nmn)Karaman, and Raymundo (nmn) Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Jul. 22,2016, with Ser. No. 15/217,594, EFS ID 26434102, confirmation number5258, docket TAMUS 3809 CIP, issued as U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/822,670on 2020 Nov. 3.

United States Utility Patent Application for CONTROLLED THERMALCOEFFICIENT PRODUCT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe,Ibrahim (nmn) Karaman, and Raymundo (nmn) Arroyave, filed with the USPTOon Jul. 22, 2016, with Ser. No. 15/217,594, EFS ID 26434102,confirmation number 5258, docket TAMUS 3809 CIP, issued as U.S. patentSer. No. 10/822,670 on 2020 Nov. 3 is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP)patent application of and incorporates by reference United StatesUtility Patent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TAILORINGCOEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE AND EXTREMENEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman, andRaymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Dec. 11, 2015, with Ser. No.14/897,904, published on May 12, 2016 as US20160130677A1, issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,557,182 on 2020 Feb. 11.

United States Utility Patent Application for THERMALLY STABILIZEDFASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, Jeremy SeanMcAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO on Jan. 6,2020, with Ser. No. 16/735,587, EFS ID 38218309, confirmation number5182, docket AZTES.0104, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,506,238 on 2022 Nov.22, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and incorporates by referenceUnited States Utility Patent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORTAILORING COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE ANDEXTREME NEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman,and Raymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Dec. 11, 2015, with Ser.No. 14/897,904, published on May 12, 2016 as US20160130677A1, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,557,182 on 2020 Feb. 11.

United States Utility Patent Application for THERMALLY STABILIZEDFASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, Jeremy SeanMcAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO on Jan. 6,2020, with Ser. No. 16/735,587, EFS ID 38218309, confirmation number5182, docket AZTES.0104, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,506,238 on 2022 Nov.22, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and incorporates by referenceUnited States Utility Patent Application for LENS ALIGNMENT SYSTEM ANDMETHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, David Scott Content, Jeremy SeanMcAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO on Apr. 26,2018, with Ser. No. 15/963,428, EFSID 32454176, confirmation number1064, docket AZTES.0103, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,125,966 on 2021 Sep.21.

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and incorporatesby reference United States Utility Patent Application for THERMALLYSTABILIZED FASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe,Jeremy Sean McAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO onJan. 6, 2020, with Ser. No. 16/735,587, EFS ID 38218309, confirmationnumber 5182, docket AZTES.0104, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,506,238 on2022 Nov. 22.

PCT Patent Applications

United States Utility Patent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORTAILORING COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE ANDEXTREME NEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman,and Raymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Dec. 11, 2015, with Ser.No. 14/897,904, and published on May 12, 2016 as US20160130677A1, issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 10,557,182 on 2020 Feb. 11, is a national stage UnitedStates Utility Patent Application of and incorporates by reference PCTPatent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TAILORING COEFFICIENTS OFTHERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE AND EXTREME NEGATIVE VALUESby inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman, and Raymundo Arroyave,filed with the USPTO on Jun. 12, 2014, with serial numberPCT/US2014/042105, and published on Dec. 18, 2014 as WO2014201239A2.

United States Utility Patent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORTAILORING COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE ANDEXTREME NEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman,and Raymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Dec. 11, 2015, with Ser.No. 14/897,904, published on May 12, 2016 as US20160130677A1, issued asU.S. Pat. No. 10,557,182 on 2020 Feb. 11, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.§ 120 and incorporates by reference PCT Patent Application for SYSTEMSAND METHODS FOR TAILORING COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEENEXTREME POSITIVE AND EXTREME NEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A.Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman, and Raymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO onJun. 12, 2014, with serial number PCT/US2014/042105, and published onDec. 18, 2014 as WO2014201239A2.

Provisional Patent Applications

PCT Patent Application for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TAILORINGCOEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREME POSITIVE AND EXTREMENEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe, Ibrahim Karaman, andRaymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Jun. 12, 2014, with serialnumber PCT/US2014/042105, and published on Dec. 18, 2014 asWO2014201239A2 claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 and incorporates byreference United States Provisional Patent Application for SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR TAILORING COEFFICIENTS OF THERMAL EXPANSION BETWEEN EXTREMEPOSITIVE AND EXTREME NEGATIVE VALUES by inventors James A. Monroe,Ibrahim Karaman, and Raymundo Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Jun. 14,2013, with Ser. No. 61/835,289.

United States Utility Patent Application for CONTROLLED THERMALCOEFFICIENT PRODUCT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe,Ibrahim (nmn) Karaman, and Raymundo (nmn) Arroyave, filed with the USPTOon Jul. 22, 2016, with Ser. No. 15/217,594, EFS ID 26434102,confirmation number 5258, docket TAMUS 3809 CIP, issued as U.S. patentSer. No. 10/822,670 on 2020 Nov. 3, claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119and incorporates by reference United States Provisional PatentApplication for CONTROLLED THERMAL COEFFICIENT PRODUCT SYSTEM AND METHODby inventor James A. Monroe, filed with the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2015, withSer. No. 62/195,575, EFS ID 22993562, confirmation number 5403, docketAZTES.0101P.

United States Utility Patent Application for LENS ALIGNMENT SYSTEM ANDMETHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, David Scott Content, Jeremy SeanMcAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with the USPTO on Apr. 26,2018, with Ser. No. 15/963,428, EFSID 32454176, confirmation number1064, docket AZTES.0103, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,125,966 on 2021 Sep.21 claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 and incorporates by referenceUnited States Provisional Patent Application for THERMALLY STABILIZEDFASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, David ScottContent, Jeremy Sean McAllister, and Jay Russell Zgarba, filed with theUSPTO on Apr. 27, 2017, with EFSID 29050356, Ser. No. 62/490,877,confirmation number 8425, docket AZTES.0104P.

Standards Literature References

This patent application includes by reference the standards literaturepublication document SAE AIR1754B Aerospace Information Report for“Washer, Thermal Compensating, Metric Series” from SAE International(www.sae.org), Issued 1981 December, Revised 2001 October, Reaffirmed2012 October, Stabilized 2019 February, Superseding AIR1754A. SAE statesin this document a rationale that: “This document has been determined tocontain basic and stable technology which is not dynamic in nature.” SAEprovides a STABILIZED NOTICE in this document that reads: “This documenthas been declared ‘Stabilized’ by the SAE E-25 General Standards forAerospace and Propulsion Systems Committee and will no longer besubjected to periodic reviews for currency. Users are responsible forverifying references and continued suitability of technicalrequirements. Newer technology may exist.”

PARTIAL WAIVER OF COPYRIGHT

All of the material in this patent application is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and of othercountries. As of the first effective filing date of the presentapplication, this material is protected as unpublished material.

However, permission to copy this material is hereby granted to theextent that the copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent documentation or patent disclosure,as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relate to the product of and systems and methodsfor generating mechanical fastening systems that are thermallystabilized (“athermalized”) over a wide temperature range. Withoutlimitation, the present invention may be applied to situations where aplurality of components in a mechanical system must be constructed in amanner so as to maintain constant distances, tensions, or compressionsalong a common mechanical axis (CMA).

PRIOR ART AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Standards LiteratureReferences

This patent application includes by reference the standards literaturepublication document SAE AIR1754B Aerospace Information Report for“Washer, Thermal Compensating, Metric Series” from SAE International(www.sae.org), Issued 1981 December, Revised 2001 October, Reaffirmed2012 October, Stabilized 2019 February, Superseding AIR1754A. SAE statesin this document a rationale that: “This document has been determined tocontain basic and stable technology which is not dynamic in nature.” SAEprovides a STABILIZED NOTICE in this document that reads: “This documenthas been declared ‘Stabilized’ by the SAE E-25 General Standards forAerospace and Propulsion Systems Committee and will no longer besubjected to periodic reviews for currency. Users are responsible forverifying references and continued suitability of technicalrequirements. Newer technology may exist.”

This document, first issued in December 1981, details the use ofthermally compensating washers and details the use of conventional A286,INCONEL 903, WASPALOY, Invar, or other materials known in the art toaccomplish thermal compensation. Since this document was stabilized inFebruary 2019 (38 years after first issuance) as of this date thedocument indicates that were no known methodologies of achievingthermally stabilized fasteners other than that provided in this SAEstandard. As such, the present invention as described herein is novelwith respect to the disclosure scope of this SAE document.

Long-Felt Industry Need for Thermally Stabilized Fasteners

All metals expand when hot and contract when cold. The positive thermalcoefficient experienced by most metals can have a huge impact onindustrial, aerospace, defense, or commercial applications that seedeterioration in the performance, efficiency, and safety of theirproducts due to severe temperature swings and/or vibration. For example,when cooled, aluminum shrinks significantly while a steel bolt shrinksto a lesser extent and as such a fastener joining these materials willloosen with decreasing temperature. When the same joint is heated, thealuminum expands more than the steel bolt and the joint can become overtight stretching or even breaking the bolt. This loosening duringthermal cycling and vibration cause fatigue and bolt failure, a longstanding major problem in a variety of industries. Specifically, thisloosening causes problems for seals, gaskets, pumps, satellites, optics,precision equipment, automobiles, and autonomous vehicles that seeperformance reduction and equipment failures that cause safety concerns.

The present invention teaches the use of thermally compensating members(TCM) such as washers and other metallic forms to completely change theway engineers attack the thermal expansion problem all together. Using asimple temperature compensating metal washer that expands when cooledcan take up the slack in a fastener joint and stabilize the clampingforce of bolts used in this wide array of applications. By reactingopposite to other metals, it can keep a pump's bolting from comingloose, hold satellite components in place during launch and throughoutthe severe temperature swings in space, and maintain constant load oncryogenic assemblies found in multiple processing environments likeliquefied natural gas (LNG) and scientific research labs.

The present invention allows engineers and designers in the aerospaceindustry to implement more reliable fastening solutions. This allows areduction in the high cost of system failure associated with currentfasteners that degrade over time due to loosening or over-tighteningduring large temperature swings. By offering a simple, passive solutionto the age-old problem of thermal expansion in metals, the potentialeconomic impact is significant, as these temperature stabilizedfasteners allow engineers and scientists to do things they have neverdone before, all the while seeing reduced costs in maintenance programs,improved reliability, enhanced safety, and far better performance andefficiency in their product.

Commonly used solutions for battling changes in fastener load include:(1) building everything out of one material and (2) using split, wavespring, or Belleville washers. Unfortunately, using a single materiallocks engineers into unrealistic material property requirements. Forexample, while aluminum bolts would solve the aluminum fasteningproblem, they do not work well due to their low hardness, strength, andelastic modulus. Additionally, split, wave, and Belleville washers havelimited utility under normal bolt loading conditions. John H. Bickford[1] describes these types of washers as being, “of questionable value,”because, “their stiffness . . . is so much less than that of mostfasteners.” Richard T. Barrett in the NASA Fastener Design Manual [2]also states, “the washer is normally flat by the time the bolt is fullytorqued” and concludes, “a lock washer of this type is useless forlocking.” These assertions have been echoed by others in the industrythat describe how they just put them in and, “hope for the best.” Itwould seem that the industry has a long-felt need to solve this fastenerproblem regarding thermal expansion issues in manufacturing.

Deficiencies in the Prior Art

Prior art thermally stabilized fastener systems typically suffer fromthe following characteristic deficiencies:

-   -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems have a coefficient        of thermal expansion (CTE) that cannot accurately be controlled.    -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems have a coefficient        of thermal expansion (CTE) that cannot be controlled across one        or more axes of expansion.    -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems have a coefficient        of thermal expansion (CTE) that cannot be tailored to provide a        customized expansion coefficient across one or more axes of        expansion.    -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems have a coefficient        of thermal expansion (CTE) that cannot be tailored to provide a        customized clamping load with temperature changes across one or        more axes of expansion.    -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems cannot provide a        zero coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) over one or more        axes of expansion.    -   Prior thermally stabilized fastener systems cannot provide a        negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) over one or more        axes of expansion.        To date the prior art has not fully addressed these        deficiencies.

Objectives of the Invention

Accordingly, the objectives of the present invention are (among others)to circumvent the deficiencies in the prior art and affect the followingobjectives:

-   -   (1) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing same that have a coefficient of thermal expansion        (CTE) that can accurately be controlled.    -   (2) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing same in which the coefficient of thermal expansion        (CTE) can be controlled across one or more axes of expansion.    -   (3) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing same in which the coefficient of thermal expansion        (CTE) can be tailored to provide a customized expansion        coefficient across one or more axes of expansion.    -   (4) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing the same in which the coefficient of thermal        expansion (CTE) can be tailored to provide a customized clamping        load with temperature changes across one or more axes of        expansion.    -   (5) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing same that can produce a zero coefficient of        thermal expansion (CTE) across one or more axes of expansion.    -   (6) Provide for a thermally stabilized fastener system/method        for producing same that can produce a negative coefficient of        thermal expansion (CTE) across one or more axes of expansion.

While these objectives should not be understood to limit the teachingsof the present invention, in general these objectives are achieved inpart or in whole by the disclosed invention that is discussed in thefollowing sections. One skilled in the art will no doubt be able toselect aspects of the present invention as disclosed to affect anycombination of the objectives described above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

While all metals expand when hot and contract when cold, the recentdevelopment of tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) materialsallows the creation of metallic materials that do the opposite: theycontract when heated and expand when cooled. This brand-new materialproperty enables the creation of fasteners that compensate for thenatural expansion and contraction of other materials being fastened andthus the creation of thermally stabilized fasteners as described herein.

The present invention generally addresses the need for thermallystabilized fastener systems having a known coefficient of thermalexpansion (CTE) in the following manner. The use of a conventionalfastener (FAS) and fastener retention receiver (FRR) that fix a firstretention member (FRM) and/or a second retention member (SRM) isaugmented via the use of a tailored temperature compensating member(TCM) along the mechanical fixation axis (MFA) of the FAS/FRR/FRM/SRMcombination that has a thermal characteristic that complements that ofthe FAS/FRR/FRM/SRM thermal expansion characteristics. By properlyfabricating the TCM to complement the thermal expansion and mechanicalcharacteristics of the overall FAS/TCM/FRR/FRM/SRM combinationmechanical fastener system, the mechanical load is made constant andthermally invariant. In some circumstances the FAS and/or FRR may beconstructed of CTE material in this thermally stabilized fastener (TSF)configuration.

Details regarding the tailored CTE metallic material product (MMP) isdisclosed within United States Utility Patent Application for CONTROLLEDTHERMAL COEFFICIENT PRODUCT SYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James AlanMonroe, Ibrahim (nmn) Karaman, and Raymundo (nmn) Arroyave, filed withthe USPTO on Jul. 22, 2016, with Ser. No. 15/217,594, EFS ID 26434102,confirmation number 5258, docket TAMUS 3809 CIP, and otherpatents/patent applications incorporated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the advantages provided by the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description togetherwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates top and bottom perspective views of a simplenon-thermally compensated fastener system comprising a bolt, plate, andnut;

FIG. 2 illustrates front section and top front right perspective sectionviews of a simple non-thermally compensated fastener system comprising abolt, plate, and nut as originally fastened at an initial temperature;

FIG. 3 illustrates front section and top front right perspective sectionviews of a simple non-thermally compensated fastener system comprising abolt, plate, and nut after experiencing a temperature differential thatloosens the bolt;

FIG. 4 illustrates top and bottom perspective views of a simplethermally stabilized fastener system comprising a bolt, plate, and nut;

FIG. 5 illustrates front section and top front right perspective sectionviews of a simple thermally stabilized fastener system comprising abolt, plate, and nut as originally fastened at an initial temperature;

FIG. 6 illustrates front section and top front right perspective sectionviews of a simple thermally stabilized fastener system comprising abolt, plate, and nut after experiencing a temperature differential;

FIG. 7 illustrates a thermal expansion vs. thermal conductivity graphdepicting various materials and their coefficients of thermal expansionwith a particular emphasis on depicting the range of coefficients ofexpansion (COE) of tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TEC)materials;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart depicting a preferred exemplary methodembodiment of the present invention as applied to implementing athermally stabilized fastener;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary5-member thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 5-memberthermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary5-member thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 5-member thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary5-member thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 14 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 5-member thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 5-member thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 5-member thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 18 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 4-memberintegrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 19 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 20 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 21 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 22 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 23 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member integrated TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 24 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 4-member integrated TCM thermallystabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 25 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 26 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 4-memberisolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 27 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 28 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 29 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 30 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 31 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 32 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 4-member isolated TCM thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 33 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 34 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 3-member TCMthermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 35 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 36 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 37 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 38 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 39 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 40 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 3-member TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 41 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 42 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 2-member TCMthermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 43 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 44 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 45 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 46 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 47 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 48 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 2-member TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 49 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 50 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 4-memberintegrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 51 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 52 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 53 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 54 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 55 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 4-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 56 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 4-member integrated RFF TCM thermallystabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 57 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 58 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary 3-memberintegrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 59 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 60 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary 3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 61 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 62 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 63 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary 3-member integrated RFF TCM thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 64 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary 3-member integrated RFF TCM thermallystabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 65 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary TCMTSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 66 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary TCM TSFrounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 67 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment andfront, top perspective, and bottom perspective views of the rivetfastener;

FIG. 68 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary TCM TSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 69 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 70 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 71 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF rounded rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 72 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary TCM TSF rounded rivet thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 73 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary TCMTSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 74 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary TCM TSF spreadrivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 75 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment andfront, top perspective, and bottom perspective views of the rivetfastener;

FIG. 76 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary TCM TSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment;

FIG. 77 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 78 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 79 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF spread rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 80 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with fastener hidden) and a top front right perspective front sectionview of a preferred exemplary TCM TSF spread rivet thermally stabilizedfastener system embodiment;

FIG. 81 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplary TCMTSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastener system;

FIG. 82 illustrates a front view of a preferred exemplary TCM TSF poprivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 83 illustrates a front section view of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 84 illustrates a front section view (with fastener hidden) of apreferred exemplary TCM TSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastenersystem embodiment and front, top perspective, and bottom perspectiveviews of the rivet fastener;

FIG. 85 illustrates top and bottom views of a preferred exemplary TCMTSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 86 illustrates a top front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 87 illustrates a bottom front right perspective view of a preferredexemplary TCM TSF pop rivet thermally stabilized fastener systemembodiment;

FIG. 88 illustrates a top front right perspective side section view(with pop rivet shaft hidden) and a top front right perspective frontsection view of a preferred exemplary TCM TSF pop rivet thermallystabilized fastener system embodiment;

FIG. 89 illustrates a block diagram depicting a preferred exemplarytubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF);

FIG. 90 illustrates right top front and top left rear perspective viewsof an exemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system astaught by the present invention incorporating a plurality of opticallenses (POL) contained within a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separatedalong a common optical axis (COA) with one or more focal lengthseparators (FLS);

FIG. 91 illustrates a right top front perspective front section view ofan exemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system astaught by the present invention incorporating a plurality of opticallenses (POL) contained within a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separatedalong a common optical axis (COA) with one or more focal lengthseparators (FLS);

FIG. 92 illustrates a front section view of an exemplary tubularthermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system as taught by the presentinvention incorporating a plurality of optical lenses (POL) containedwithin a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separated along a common opticalaxis (COA) with one or more focal length separators (FLS);

FIG. 93 illustrates a left top front perspective front section view ofan exemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system astaught by the present invention incorporating a plurality of opticallenses (POL) contained within a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separatedalong a common optical axis (COA) with one or more focal lengthseparators (FLS);

FIG. 94 illustrates right top front and left top rear perspective topsection views of an exemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener(TSF) system as taught by the present invention incorporating aplurality of optical lenses (POL) contained within a lens retaining tube(LRT) and separated along a common optical axis (COA) with one or morefocal length separators (FLS);

FIG. 95 illustrates a right top front perspective assembly view of anexemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system as taughtby the present invention incorporating a plurality of optical lenses(POL) contained within a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separated along acommon optical axis (COA) with one or more focal length separators(FLS); and

FIG. 96 illustrates a right top front perspective assembly front sectionview of an exemplary tubular thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) systemas taught by the present invention incorporating a plurality of opticallenses (POL) contained within a lens retaining tube (LRT) and separatedalong a common optical axis (COA) with one or more focal lengthseparators (FLS).

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetailed preferred embodiment of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to the presently preferredembodiment, wherein these innovative teachings are advantageouslyapplied to the particular problems of a THERMALLY STABILIZED FASTENERSYSTEM AND METHOD. However, it should be understood that this embodimentis only one example of the many advantageous uses of the innovativeteachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification ofthe present application do not necessarily limit any of the variousclaimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to someinventive features but not to others.

Tailored Thermal Expansion Coefficient (TEC) Defined

The term “tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TEC)” as used hereinto describe the formulation and manufacture of the temperaturecompensating member (TCM) refers to the methods and products of materialmanufacture described in United States Utility Patent Applications thatare included by reference in this patent application.

These patent applications teach the fabrication of metallic materialsthat have a range of tailored thermal expansion coefficients that areoutside of those available using conventional A286, INCONEL 903,WASPALOY, Invar, or other materials known to those of skill in the artas described in the prior art included-by-reference document SAEAIR1754B Aerospace Information Report for “Washer, Thermal Compensating,Metric Series” from SAE International (www.sae.org), Issued 1981December, Revised 2001 October, Reaffirmed 2012 October, Stabilized 2019February, Superseding AIR1754A. Since this document was stabilized inFebruary 2019 (38 years after first issuance) as of this date thedocument indicates that were no known methodologies of achievingthermally stabilized fasteners other than that provided in this SAEstandard. As such, the present invention as described herein is novelwith respect to the disclosure scope of this SAE document.

Mechanical Member Stack (MMS) Form not Limitive

The present invention will be described generally in terms of amechanical member stack (MMS) having several mechanical layers. Theselayers will be presented visually for purposes of illustration only, andthe specific form of each layer is not limited by these visualizations.The mechanical member stack (MMS) may take many physical forms, many ofwhich are not depicted herein but will be readily known by one ofordinary skill in the art.

Mechanical Member Stack (MMS) Sequence not Limitive

The present invention will be described generally in terms of amechanical member stack (MMS) having several mechanical layers. Theselayers will be presented visually for purposes of illustration only, andthe specific sequence or order of each layer is not limited by thesevisualizations. The mechanical member stack (MMS) may take manysequenced physical forms, many of which are not depicted herein but willbe readily known by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Fastener (FAS) May be TCM not Limitive

The present invention will be described generally in terms of a fastener(FAS) in conjunction with a MMS having several mechanical layers. Whilethe MMS is shown herein as incorporating a temperature compensatingmember (TCM), the fastener (FAS) may incorporate a TCM characteristic aswell. In a similar way that the fastener retention receiver (FRR) shownherein can incorporate a TCM characteristic, the fastener (FAS) may alsobe temperature compensating. This TCM characteristic may be in lieu ofor in addition to a TCM within the MMS.

Fastener (FAS) not Limitive

The present invention will be described generally in terms of a fastener(FAS) in conjunction with a MMS having several mechanical layers. Thefastener will be presented visually for purposes of illustration only,and the specific form of the fastener is not limited by thesevisualizations. While bolts, cap screws, socket head cap screws, and avariety of rivet configurations are typically used as fasteners and maybe shown herein, the term “fastener” should be interpreted generally andnot limited to these forms.

Fastener Retention Receiver (FRR) not Limitive

The present invention will be described generally in terms of a fastenerretention receiver (FRR) in conjunction with a MMS having severalmechanical layers. The fastener retention receiver (FRR) will bepresented visually for purposes of illustration only, and the specificform of the fastener retention receiver (FRR) is not limited by thesevisualizations. While hexagonal nuts are typically used as fastenerretention receiver (FRR) and may be shown herein, the term “fastenerretention receiver (FRR)” should be interpreted generally and notlimited to these forms. Furthermore, in some preferred exemplaryembodiments that make use of rivet fasteners, the FRR may be integratedwith the function of the fastener retention tip (FRT) such that the useof riveting tools to deform the FRT serve as the function of the FRR tosecure the FAS to the MMS. Thus, mention of the FRR should include theanticipated possibility that the FRR is integrated with the FRT and isnot a separate component of the overall fastener system.

Multi-Member TSF Exemplary Embodiments

The present invention may best be described in terms of severalmulti-member exemplary embodiments in which a temperature compensatingmember (TCM) is utilized in conjunction with other members of amechanical fastener assembly to achieve an thermally stabilized fastener(TSF) having desired degree of thermal stability. The discussion belowis not limitive of the scope of the claimed invention, but ratherprovides several concrete examples of the invention teachings as appliedto several common application contexts.

MMS Aperture not Limitive

The MMS as described herein includes passages or apertures through whichthe FRB of the FAS is passes through the MMS. While the FRH and the FRRare configured to mechanically couple elements within the MMS via theFRB and these apertures, the present invention makes no limitation as tothe physical form of these apertures.

TCM Form not Limitive

While the present invention may be described in some embodiments using aTCM having a washer form factor, the present invention is not limited tothis particular form.

Theory of Operation (0100)-(0600) Conventional Fastener TemperatureExpansion Characteristics (0100)-(0300)

FIG. 1 (0100)-FIG. 2 (0200) depicts a simple non-thermally compensatedfastener system comprising a bolt (0110, 0210, 0310), plate (0120, 0220,0320), and nut (0130, 0230, 0330) and will be used to describe issuesrelating to the temperature variance of a typical fastener system. FromFIG. 2 (0200) it can be seen that for the bolt (0110, 0210, 0310) andnut (0130, 0230, 0330) to engage and capture the plate (0120, 0220,0320), the engaged length (0211) of the bolt (0210) must be equal tothat of the engaged thickness (0221) of the plate (0220). This matingprocess generally occurs at a common ambient mating temperature (AMT).

However, this condition may change as temperature is increased ordecreased from the AMT. For example, as generally depicted in FIG. 3(0300) if the bolt's (0310) coefficient of thermal expansion is largerthan the plate's (0320) coefficient of thermal expansion, the bolt(0310) may expand in length (0311) more than the plate (0320) expands(0321) with increasing temperature. Alternatively, if the bolt's (0310)coefficient of thermal expansion is smaller than the plate's (0320)coefficient of thermal expansion, the bolt (0310) may shrink in length(0311) less than the plate (0320) shrinks (0321) with decreasingtemperature. Thus the bolt (0310)/nut (0330) combination may lose matingforce with the plate (0320), causing bolt (0310) mating gaps (0322) andor nut (0330) mating gaps (0323) and a possible mechanical failure inthe overall fastener system functionality.

While this example shows the bolt (0310) expanding more (0311) than theplate (0320) during heating or the bolt (0310) contracting less (0311)than the plate (0320) during cooling (0321), the opposite may also betrue in which the bolt (0310) expands less than the plate (0320) duringheating or the bolt (0310) contracts more (0311) than the plate (0320)during cooling in which the bolt (0310)/nut (0330) combination willexert additional force on the plate (0320) to the point that the bolt(0310)/nut (0330) combination and/or the plate (0320) may sufferdeformation and/or catastrophic failure due to the increased forceapplied by the mismatch between the plate (0320) and the bolt (0310)/nut(0330) combination.

A common example found in industry would include a bolt (0310)/nut(0330) combination comprising mild steel having a fractional thermalexpansion coefficient characteristic of 13×10⁻⁶/° C. used in conjunctionwith a plate (0320) comprising aluminum having a fractional thermalexpansion coefficient characteristic of 24×10⁻⁶/° C. In this situationthe bolt (0310)/nut (0330) combination and plate (0320) will experiencea differential thermal expansion coefficient characteristic of 11×10⁻⁶/°C. The steel bolt (0310) may be stretched or the aluminum plate (0320)may severely deform as temperatures are increased beyond the AMT. If thetemperatures are decreased significantly from the AMT, the aluminumplate (0320) will shrink at a greater rate than that of the steel bolt(0310)/nut (0330) combination, and thus bolt (0310)/plate (0320) and/ornut (0330)/plate (0320) slipping of the joint or even gaps (0322, 0323)may occur as generally depicted in FIG. 3 (0300).

Thermally Stabilized Fastener Temperature Expansion Characteristics(0400)-(0600)

FIG. 4 (0400)-FIG. 6 (0600) depict a simple thermally compensatedfastener system comprising a bolt (0410, 0510, 0610), plate (0420, 0520,0620), nut (0430, 0530, 0630) and thermally compensating washer (0440,0540, 0640). FIG. 4 (0400) and FIG. 5 (0500) depict the thermallycompensated fastener combination in an AMT state where the bolt distance(0511) matches the combination of the plate thickness (0521) plus thethermally compensating washer (0540) thickness (0541).

Referencing the section views of FIG. 6 (0600) where the AMT has beenchanged such that the plate thickness (0621) has increased and thewasher thickness (0641) has decreased to compensate for the differencein coefficient of thermal expansion between the bolt (0610) and theplate (0620) so as to maintain a constant force on the plate (0620)through the washer (0640) by the bolt (0610)/nut (0630) combination.

Derivation of Thermally Stabilized Fastener Sizing

The two strategies used to obtain a constant clamping force with achange in temperature to produce a thermally stabilized fastener (TSF)are: (1) hold the CTE of the temperature compensating member (TCM)constant and calculate the required thickness TCM thickness (2) hold thethickness of the TCM constant and calculate the required TCM CTE. Thefirst approach is outlined generally in SAE AIR1754B AerospaceInformation Report for “Washer, Thermal Compensating, Metric Series”whereas the second approach is novel due to the unique ability tocontrol the thermal expansion of tailored thermal expansion alloys. Thespecific thickness and CTE values are dependent on the thickness of themembers in the mechanical member stack (MMS) and the length of thefastener (FAS) which are derived from mechanical analysis of thefastener assembly using traditional engineering design. The generalexpression for the mechanical and thermal displacements experienced by athermally stabilized fastener (TSF) assembly will be derived and the twospecial cases for determining the TCM thickness or CTE will bepresented.

The change in length of a TSF assembly with any number (n) of mechanicalstacking members (MMS) can be expressed the following equation:

ΔL _(FAS) ^(Thermal) +ΔL _(FAS) ^(Mechanical)=(ΔL _(TCM) +ΔL _(FRM) +ΔL_(SRM) + . . . +ΔL _(nRM))^(Thermal)+(ΔL _(TCM) +ΔL _(FRM) +ΔL _(SRM) +. . . +ΔL _(nRM))^(Mechanical)  (1)

Where ΔL is the change in length due to thermal expansion or mechanicalforces, FAS is the fastener, TCM is the thermal compensating member, FRMis the 1^(st) retention member, SRM is the 2^(nd) retention member, andnRM is the n^(th) retention member where n is the number of retentionmembers in the mechanical member stack (MMS). The change in length dueto thermal expansion and changes in mechanical force can be expressedas:

$\begin{matrix}{{\Delta L^{Thermal}} = {\alpha L^{0}\Delta T}} & (2)\end{matrix}$ $\begin{matrix}{{\Delta L^{Mechanical}} = \frac{\Delta FL^{0}}{EA}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

Where α is the material's coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), L⁰ isthe original length of the member at room temperature, ΔT is the changein temperature, ΔF is the change in mechanical force, E is thematerial's elastic modulus, and A is the crossectional area of part thatexperiences the mechanical force. Substituting equations 2 and 3 intoequation 1 and noticing that any change in force on the FAS is oppositeand equal to a change in force on the MMS:

ΔF _(FAs) =ΔF _(TCM) =−ΔF _(FRM) =−ΔF _(SRM) =−ΔF _(nRM) =ΔF  (4)

we obtain an expression for the change in force of the form:

$\begin{matrix}{{\Delta F} = {\Delta T\frac{\left( {{\alpha_{TCM}L_{TCM}^{0}} + {\alpha_{FRM}L_{FRM}^{0}} + {\alpha_{SRM}L_{SRM}^{0}} + \ldots + {\alpha_{nRM}L_{nRM}^{0}} - {\alpha_{FAS}L_{FAS}^{0}}} \right)}{\left( {\frac{L_{FAS}^{0}}{A_{FAS}E_{FAS}} + \frac{L_{TCM}^{0}}{A_{TCM}E_{TCM}} + \frac{L_{FRM}^{0}}{A_{FRM}E_{FRM}} + \frac{L_{SRM}^{0}}{A_{SRM}E_{SRM}} + \ldots + \frac{L_{nRM}^{0}}{A_{nRM}E_{nRM}}} \right)}}} & (5)\end{matrix}$

This expression can be used to calculate the desired mechanical,thermal, and dimensional characteristics of the various parts of afastener assembly to obtain a desired temperature force profile (TFP). Asimplified case is when the desired TFP is zero as the temperaturechanges. To obtain no change in force, ΔF=0, with changes intemperature, ΔT, equation 5 simplifies to:

α_(FAS) L _(FAS) ⁰=α_(TCM) L _(TCM) ⁰+α_(FRM) L _(FRM) ⁰+α_(SRM) L_(SRM) ⁰+ . . . +α_(nRM) L _(nRM) ⁰  (6)

Substituting the dependence of the FAS length, L_(FAS) ⁰, to the totalMMS thickness:

L _(FAS) ⁰ =L _(TCM) ⁰ +L _(FRM) ⁰ +L _(SRM) ⁰ + . . . +L _(nRM) ⁰  (7)

into equation 6, we obtain the general expression for creating a TSFsystem that does not change clamping force with changing temperature:

L _(TCM) ⁰(α_(TCM)−α_(FAS))=L _(FRM) ⁰(α_(FAS)−α_(FRM))+L _(SRM)⁰(α_(FAS)−α_(SRM))+ . . . +L _(nRM) ⁰(α_(FAS)−α_(nRM))  (8)

To calculate the required thickness of a TCM of a specific CTE, equation8 is arranged into the following form:

$\begin{matrix}{L_{TCM}^{0} = \frac{{L_{FRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{FRM}} \right)} + {L_{SRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{SRM}} \right)} + \ldots + {L_{nRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{nRM}} \right)}}{\left( {\alpha_{TCM} - \alpha_{FAS}} \right)}} & (9)\end{matrix}$

where everything on the right hand side of the equation is known. Thisformula is very similar to equation 1 for two mechanical members in theSAE AIR1754B Aerospace Information Report for “Washer, ThermalCompensating, Metric Series”. The SAE standard is limited to only twomembers, called flanges in SAE AIR1754B, whereas equation 9 herein isgeneralized to any number, n, of mechanical members. Additionally, theSAE standard is limited to materials with known and unchangeable CTEvalues which is different for materials with tailored thermal expansioncoefficients.

To calculate the required CTE of a TCM with a specific thickness,equation 8 is rearranged into the following form:

$\begin{matrix}{\alpha_{TCM} = {\alpha_{FAS} + \frac{{L_{FRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{FRM}} \right)} + {L_{SRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{SRM}} \right)} + \ldots + {L_{nRM}^{0}\left( {\alpha_{FAS} - \alpha_{nRM}} \right)}}{\left( L_{TCM}^{0} \right)}}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

The unique ability to tailor the thermal expansion opens the door forengineers to design fastener systems with this equation for the firsttime.

These general equations can be applied to any form of mechanicalaffixation where mechanical force must remain constant acrosstemperature changes including but not limited to traditional fastenersthat go through holes in the members to be clamped, such as bolts andrivets, and stack ups that are inside an internally threaded tube thathouses members to be clamped with a retaining ring that engages thetube's threads.

Tailored Expansion Coefficient (TEC) Material Properties (0700)

FIG. 7 (0700) illustrates a thermal expansion vs. thermal conductivitygraph depicting various materials and their coefficients of thermalexpansion with a particular emphasis on depicting the range ofcoefficients of expansion (COE) of tailored thermal expansioncoefficient (TEC) (0710) materials. It is instructive to note that theTEC materials (0710) depicted can include a range of negativetemperature coefficients not possible using traditional material,including most metals. This ability to provide significant negativetailored thermal coefficients of expansion allow the TEC (0710)materials utilize with the present invention to thermally stabilize awide range of materials and metals that were heretofore not possible tothermally stabilize in a deterministic manner.

Thermally Stabilized Fastener Method (0800)

The present invention may implement a method in which a thermallystabilized fastener is designed using TEC materials fabricated tocompensate a FAS/FRR/MMS combination. In this thermally stabilizedfastener methodology, as generally depicted in FIG. 8 (0800), thepresent invention may be broadly generalized as a thermally stabilizedfastener (TSF) method comprising:

-   -   (1) Selecting a fastener (FAS) type and size (this may occur        from one or more FAS databases (0810) using engineering design        principles common to fastener selection and design) (0801);    -   (2) Selecting a fastener retention receiver (FRR) type and size        (this may occur from one or more FRR databases (0820)) (0802);    -   (3) Selecting the mechanical member stack (MMS) retention        member(s) and thickness(es) (this may occur from one or more        material databases describing the materials in the MMS (0830))        (0803);    -   (4) Determining a thermal expansion rate (TER) for a combined        thermal expansion differential for the FAS, the FRR, and the MMS        (information for this calculation may occur from one or more        FAS, FRR, and MMS databases (0810, 0820, 0830)) (0804);    -   (5) Selecting a tailored CTE material with a compensating        coefficient of expansion to compensate for the TER of the        combination of the FAS, the FRR, and the MMS (this selection may        be defined in a CTE material database (0840)) (0805);    -   (6) Determining the TCM thickness requirements for a desired        mechanical load across a desired temperature range (0806);    -   (7) Fabricating the tailored CTE material to a desired form and        thickness for insertion in the MMS (0807);    -   (8) Placing the fabricated CTE material in the MMS (0808); and    -   (9) Securing the CTE material and the MMS combination using the        FAS and the FRR (0809).        This general method may be modified heavily depending on a        number of factors, with rearrangement and/or addition/deletion        of steps anticipated by the scope of the present invention.        Integration of this and other preferred exemplary embodiment        methods in conjunction with a variety of preferred exemplary        embodiment systems described herein is anticipated by the        overall scope of the present invention.

5-Member TCM TSF System Overview (0900)-(1600)

A general 5-member TCM TSF system can be seen by referencing FIG. 9(0900) wherein a fastener (FAS) (0910) comprising a faster retentionhead (FRH) (0911), fastener retention body (FRB) (0912), and fastenerretention tip (FRT) (0913) is used to couple a mechanical member stack(MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retentionreceiver (FRR) (0950). The MMS in this example comprises a temperaturecompensating member (TCM) (0920), a first retention member (FRM) (0930),and a second retention member (SRM) (0940).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 10 (1000)-FIG. 16 (1600) wherein the fastener (FAS) (1010, 1110) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) (1050, 1150) as a hexagonal nut, and the MMS as comprising atemperature compensating member (TCM) (1020, 1120), a first retentionmember (FRM) (1030, 1130), and a second retention member (SRM) (1040,1140).

4-Member TCM Integrated TSF System Overview (1700)-(2400)

A general 4-member TCM integrated TSF system can be seen by referencingFIG. 17 (1700) wherein a fastener (FAS) (1710) comprising a fasterretention head (FRH) (1711), fastener retention body (FRB) (1712), andfastener retention tip (FRT) (1713) is used to couple a mechanicalmember stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastenerretention receiver (FRR) (1750). The MMS in this example comprises atemperature compensating member (TCM) (1720) merged (1760) with a firstretention member (FRM) (1730), and a second retention member (SRM)(1740).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 18 (1800)-FIG. 24 (2400) wherein the fastener (FAS) (1810, 1910) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) (1850, 1950) as a hexagonal nut, and the MMS as comprising atemperature compensating member (TCM) (1820, 1920) merged (1860) with afirst retention member (FRM) (1830, 1930), and a second retention member(SRM) (1840, 1940).

4-Member TCM Isolated TSF System Overview (2500)-(3200)

A general 4-member TCM isolated TSF system can be seen by referencingFIG. 25 (2500) wherein a fastener (FAS) (2510) comprising a fasterretention head (FRH) (2511), fastener retention body (FRB) (2512), andfastener retention tip (FRT) (2513) is used to couple a mechanicalmember stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastenerretention receiver (FRR) (2550). The MMS in this example comprises atemperature compensating member (TCM) (2520), a first retention member(FRM) (2530), and a second retention member (SRM) (2540) merged (2570)with the fastener retention receiver (FRR) (2550).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 26 (2600)-FIG. 32 (3200) wherein the fastener (FAS) (2610, 2710) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) merged (2670, 2770) with the second retention member (SRM), andthe MMS as comprising a temperature compensating member (TCM) (2620,2720), a first retention member (FRM) (2630, 2730), and a secondretention member (SRM) merged (2670, 2770) with a fastener retentionreceiver (FRR).

3-Member TCM TSF System Overview (3300)-(4000)

A general 3-member TCM TSF system can be seen by referencing FIG. 33(3300) wherein a fastener (FAS) (3310) comprising a faster retentionhead (FRH) (3311), fastener retention body (FRB) (3312), and fastenerretention tip (FRT) (3313) is used to couple a mechanical member stack(MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retentionreceiver (FRR) (3350). The MMS in this example comprises a temperaturecompensating member (TCM) (3320) merged (3360) with a first retentionmember (FRM) (3330), and a second retention member (SRM) (3340) merged(3370) with a fastener retention receiver (FRR) (3350).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 34 (3400)-FIG. 40 (4000) wherein the fastener (FAS) (3410, 3510) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) merged (3470, 3570) with the second retention member (SRM), andthe MMS as comprising a temperature compensating member (TCM) merged(3460, 3560) with a first retention member (FRM), and a second retentionmember (SRM) merged (3470, 3570) with a fastener retention receiver(FRR).

2-Member TCM TSF System Overview (4100)-(4800)

A general 2-member TCM TSF system can be seen by referencing FIG. 41(4100) wherein a fastener (FAS) (4110) comprising a faster retentionhead (FRH) (4111), fastener retention body (FRB) (4112), and fastenerretention tip (FRT) (4113) is used to couple a mechanical member stack(MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retentionreceiver (FRR) (4150). The MMS in this example comprises a temperaturecompensating member (TCM) (4120), a first retention member (FRM) (4130),and a second retention member (SRM) (4140).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 42 (4200)-FIG. 48 (4800) wherein the fastener (FAS) (4210, 4310) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) merged (4280, 4380) with the temperature compensating member(TCM), a first retention member (FRM), and a second retention member(SRM).

As generally depicted in FIG. 43 (4300)-FIG. 44 (4400), the fastener(FAS) (4310) may only thread (4491) a portion of the MMS, with acounter-bore (4492) providing a gap (4393) along the sides of thefastener (FAS) (4310), such that the counter-bore (4492) portion of themerged MMS provides the thermal compensation necessary to thermallystabilize the fastener (FAS) (4310) along this portion (4492) of thefastener (FAS) (4310) body.

4-Member TCM Integrated RFF TSF System Overview (4900)-(5600)

A general 4-member TCM integrated RFF TSF fastener system can be seen byreferencing FIG. 49 (4900) wherein a fastener (FAS) (4910) comprising afaster retention head (FRH) (4911), fastener retention body (FRB)(4912), and fastener retention tip (FRT) (4913) is used to couple amechanical member stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using afastener retention receiver (FRR) (4950) merged (4990) with atemperature compensating member (TCM) (4920). The MMS in this examplecomprises a first retention member (FRM) (4930), and a second retentionmember (SRM) (4940) a temperature compensating member (TCM) (4920), andthe merged (4990) temperature compensating member (TCM) (4920) andfastener retention receiver (FRR) (4950).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 50 (5000)-FIG. 56 (5600) wherein the fastener (FAS) (5010, 5110) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) merged (5090, 5190) with the temperature compensating member(TCM), and the MMS as comprising a first retention member (FRM) (5030,5130), a second retention member (SRM) (5040, 5140), and the merged(5090, 5190) temperature compensating member (TCM) with the fastenerretention receiver (FRR).

As generally depicted in FIG. 51 (5100)-FIG. 52 (5200), the fastener(FAS) (5110) may only engage the merged (5190, 5290) temperaturecompensating member (TCM) and fastener retention receiver (FRR) via somethreaded (5294) portion of the MMS, with a counter-bore (5295) providinga gap (5196) along the sides of the fastener (FAS) (5110), such that thecounter-bore (5295) portion of the merged MMS provides the thermalcompensation necessary to thermally stabilize the fastener (FAS) (5110)along this portion (5295) of the fastener (FAS) (5110) body.

This configuration provides for a thermally stabilized fastenerretention receiver (FRR) that may compensate for thermal variations in agiven fastener without the need for additional hardware in a MMS stack.These configurations may be suitable in environments where additionalMMS stacking would not be practical or physically possible.

3-Member TCM Integrated RFF TSF System Overview (5700)-(6400)

A general 3-member TCM integrated RFF TSF fastener system can be seen byreferencing FIG. 57 (5700) wherein a fastener (FAS) (5710) comprising afaster retention head (FRH) (5711), fastener retention body (FRB)(5712), and fastener retention tip (FRT) (5713) is used to couple amechanical member stack (MMS) in a thermally stabilized fashion using atemperature compensating member (TCM) (5720) merged (5780) with afastener retention receiver (FRR) (5750). The MMS in this examplecomprises a first retention member (FRM) (5730) merged (5780) with asecond retention member (SRM) (5740) with a temperature compensatingmember (TCM) (5720) merged with the fastener retention receiver (FRR)(5750).

This general construction may be illustrated by example as depicted inFIG. 57 (5700)-FIG. 64 (6400) wherein the fastener (FAS) (5810, 5910) isdepicted as having a hexagonal bolt FRH, the fastener retention receiver(FRR) is merged (5890, 5990) with the temperature compensating member(TCM), and the MMS as comprising a first retention member (FRM) merged(5880) with a second retention member (SRM).

As generally depicted in FIG. 59 (5900)-FIG. 60 (6000), the fastener(FAS) (5910) may only engage the merged (5990, 6090) temperaturecompensating member (TCM) and fastener retention receiver (FRR) via somethreaded (6097) portion of the MMS, with a counter-bore (6098) providinga gap (5999) along the sides of the fastener (FAS) (5910), such that thecounter-bore (6098) portion of the merged MMS provides the thermalcompensation necessary to thermally stabilize the fastener (FAS) (5910)along this portion (6098) of the fastener (FAS) (5910) body.

This configuration provides for a thermally stabilized fastenerretention receiver (FRR) that may compensate for thermal variations in agiven fastener without the need for additional hardware in a MMS stack.These configurations may be suitable in environments where additionalMMS stacking would not be practical or physically possible.

TCM TSF Rounded Rivet System Overview (6500)-(7200)

A TCM TSF configuration utilizing a rounded rivet fastener is generallydepicted in FIG. 65 (6500)-FIG. 72 (7200). Here it can be seen that thefastener (6510) comprises a rounded rivet that constrains the MMScomprising the temperature compensating member (TCM) (6520, 6620, 6720),first retention member (FRM) (6530, 6630, 6730), and second retentionmember (SRM) (6540, 6640, 6740). The FRR (6550) is merged (6593, 6693,6793) with the FAS (6510) by use of mechanical deformation of the FRT(6513) to form a secondary rivet head (SRH) (6593). This SRH (6593)deformation may take many forms that are well known to those skilled inthe art, including but not limited to rounded head and flattenedcylindrical head formations.

TCM TSF Spread Rivet System Overview (7300)-(8000)

A TCM TSF configuration utilizing a spread rivet fastener is generallydepicted in FIG. 73 (7300)-FIG. 80 (8000). Here it can be seen that thefastener (7310) comprises a rounded rivet that constrains the MMScomprising the temperature compensating member (TCM) (7320, 7420, 7520),first retention member (FRM) (7330, 7430, 7530), and second retentionmember (SRM) (7340, 7440, 7540). The FRR (7350) is merged (7393, 7493,7593) with the FAS (7310) by use of mechanical deformation of the FRT(7313) to form a secondary rivet head (SRH) (7393) in the form of aspread rivet head. This SRH (7393) deformation may take many forms thatare well known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited tospread head and flat head formations.

TCM TSF Pop Rivet System Overview (8100)-(8800)

A TCM TSF configuration utilizing a pop rivet fastener is generallydepicted in FIG. 81 (8100)-FIG. 88 (8800). Here it can be seen that thefastener (7310) comprises a flat head pop rivet that constrains the MMScomprising the temperature compensating member (TCM) (8120, 8220, 8320),first retention member (FRM) (8130, 8230, 8330), and second retentionmember (SRM) (8140, 8240, 8340). The FRR (8150) is merged (8193, 8293,8393) with the FAS (8110) by use of mechanical deformation of the FRT(8113) to form a secondary rivet head (SRH) (8193, 8293, 8393) in theform of a pop rivet shaft (8194, 8294, 8394) spread rivet head. This SRH(8193, 8293, 8393) deformation may take many forms that are well knownto those skilled in the art, including but not limited to spread headand flat head formations. The pop rivet shaft (8194, 8294, 8394) isgenerally pulled from the remainder of the fastener via mechanicalmeans, leaving the resulting fastener having the profile as generallydepicted in the after/before section view diagrams of FIG. 88 (8800).

TCM TSF Tubular Fastener System Overview (8900)-(9600)

As generally depicted in FIG. 89 (8900)-FIG. 96 (9600), the presentinvention may be applied to situations where the fastener is in atubular rod form such that the FRR engages the tubular rod surfaceinternally. In this situation, the TSF is thermally stabilized via useof TSM spacers within the interior of the tube. Referencing the detailsection view of FIG. 91 (9100) that describes a three-member MMS, it canbe seen that in this example the MMS comprises three lenses (9131, 9132,9133) that are retained by the FRH (9111), FRB (9112), and FRR (9150).TCM elements (9121, 9122) serve as thermal spacer elements to achievethe desired thermal compensation for the MMS to both define the force onthese elements but also their relative position within the fastener(FAS) (9110) tube body, thus thermally stabilizing the optical pathwayalong the longitudinal optical axis of the lenses. In this example theFRR (9150) contains male threads that engage within the tubular interiorof the FAS (9110), but other forms of attachment are also possible andwell within the skill of one practiced in the art.

Fastener (FAS) TCM Integration

With any of the thermally stabilized fastener configurations shown inFIG. 9 (0900)-FIG. 96 (9600), the fastener (FAS) as indicated in thediagrams may incorporate a thermally compensated material such that theTCM component as shown may be augmented by a thermal characteristic inthe fastener (FAS) or replaced by a fastener (FAS) having a compensatingthermal characteristic such that the fastener (FAS) acts as the TCM inthe overall MMS.

Exemplary TCM Materials

The TCM candidate materials may be selected from a list of materialsthat have been discovered to exhibit the required CTE when combined asindicated below:

-   -   Ti_(100-A)X_(A) (X=at least one of Ni, Nb, Mo, Ta, Pd, Pt, or        combinations thereof) (A=0 to 75 atomic percent composition),        Ti_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B)=at least one of Pd, Hf, Zr, Al, Pt, Au,        Fe, Co, Cr, Mo, V, O or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 55 atomic        percent composition and B=0 to 75 atomic percent composition        such that A+B<100), Ti_(100-A-B)Nb_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of        Al, Sn, Ta, Hf, Zr, Al, Au, Pt, Fe, Co, Cr, Mo, V, O, or        combinations thereof) (A=0 to 55 atomic percent composition and        B=0 to 75 atomic percent composition such that A+B<100),        Ti_(100-A-B)Ta_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of Al, Sn, Nb, Zr, Mo,        Al, Au, Pt, Fe, Co, Cr, Hf, V, O, or combinations thereof) (A=0        to 55 atomic percent composition and B=0 to 75 atomic percent        composition such that A+B<100), Ni_(100-A-B)Mn_(A)X_(B) (X=at        least one of Ga, In, Sn, Al, Sb, Co, or combinations thereof)        (A=0 to 50 atomic percent composition and B=0 to 50 atomic        percent composition such that A+B<100),        Ni_(100-A-B-C)Mn_(A)Co_(B)X_(C) (X=at least one of Ga, In, Sn,        Al, Sb, or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition, B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and C=0 to 50        atomic percent composition such that A+B+C<100),        Ni_(100-A-B)Fe_(A)Ga_(B) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent composition        and B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A+B<100),        Cu_(100-A)X_(A) (X=at least one of Zn, Ni, Mn, Al, Be, or        combinations thereof) (A=0 to 75 atomic percent composition),        Cu_(100-A-B)A1_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of Zn, Ni, Mn, Be, or        combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent composition and        B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A+B<100),        Cu_(100-A-B-C)Mn_(A)Al_(B)X_(C) (X=at least one of Zn, Ni, Be,        or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent composition,        B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and C=0 to 50 atomic        percent composition such that A+B+C<100),        Co_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, In,        or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent composition        and B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A+B<100),        Fe_(100-A-B)Mn_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of Ga, Ni, Co, Al, Ta,        Si, or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition and B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that        A+B<100), Fe_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B) (X=at least one of Ga, Mn, Co,        Al, Ta, Si, or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition and B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that        A+B<100), Fe_(100-A-B-C)Ni_(A)Co_(B)Al_(C)X_(D) (X=at least one        of Ti, Ta, Nb, Cr, W or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic        percent composition, B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition, C=0        to 50 atomic percent composition, and D=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition such that A+B+C+D<100),        Fe_(100-A-B-C)Ni_(A)Co_(B)Ti_(C)X_(D) (X=at least one of Al, Ta,        Nb, Cr, W or combinations thereof) (A=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition, B=0 to 50 atomic percent composition, C=0 to 50        atomic percent composition, and D=0 to 50 atomic percent        composition such that A+B+C+D<100), and combinations thereof        that exhibit martensitic transformation.    -   NiTi, NiTiPd, NiTiHf, NiTiPt, NiTiAu, NiTiZr, NiMn, NiMnGa,        NiMnSn, NiMnIn, NiMnAl, NiMnSb, NiCoMn, NiCoMnGa, NiCoMnSn,        NiCoMnAl, NiCoMnIn, NiCoMnSb, NiFeGa, MnFeGa, TiNb, TiMo,        TiNbAl, TiNbSn, TiNbTa, TiNbZr, TiNbO, CuMnAlNi, CuMnAl, CuZnAl,        CuNiAl, CuAlBe, CoNi, CoNiAl, CoNiGa, FeMn, FeMnGa, FeMnNi,        FeMnCo, FeMnAl, FeMnTa, FeMnNiAl, FeNiCoAl, FeNiCoAlTa,        FeNiCoAlTi, FeNiCoAlNb, FeNiCoAlW, FeNiCoAlCr, FeMnSi, FeNiCo,        FeNiCoTi, as well as derivations and combinations thereof that        exhibit martensitic transformation.

Other TCM materials may be utilized as described in United StatesUtility Patent Application for CONTROLLED THERMAL COEFFICIENT PRODUCTSYSTEM AND METHOD by inventors James Alan Monroe, Ibrahim (nmn) Karaman,and Raymundo (nmn) Arroyave, filed with the USPTO on Jul. 22, 2016, withSer. No. 15/217,594, EFS ID 26434102, confirmation number 5258, docketTAMUS 3809 CIP, and other patents/patent applications incorporatedherein.

System Summary

The present invention system may be broadly generalized as a thermallystabilized fastener system comprising:

-   -   (a) One or more plates stacked together that require a clamping        load to maintain structural integrity of an assembly;    -   (b) A mechanical fastener that is placed through an aperture in        the plate(s) and carries the clamping load;    -   (c) One or more plates with a selected thermal expansion        coefficient and thickness which compensates for the thermal        expansion mismatch between said plates and the mechanical        fastener; and    -   (d) A securing body that attaches to the mechanical fastener and        applies the clamping load on the fastener system.        This general system summary may be augmented by the various        elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention        embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

System Embodiment Alternatives

The present invention may utilize a number of tailored thermallycompensate materials. While the creation of these CTE TCM materials mayvary based on a number of manufacturing processes detailed in theincorporated patent documents, several preferred system alternativeswill now be presented.

First Alternative System Summary

A first alternative present invention system embodiment may be broadlygeneralized as a thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system comprising:

-   -   (a) fastener (FAS);    -   (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR); and    -   (c) mechanical member stack (MMS);    -   wherein:    -   the FAS comprises a fastener retention head (FRH), a fastener        retention body (FRB), and a fastener retention tip (FRT);    -   the FRR comprises an engaging surface conforming to the FRT;    -   the MMS comprises a temperature compensating member (TCM) and at        least a first retention member (FRM);    -   the FRB of the FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in the        MMS;    -   the FRH and the FRR are configured to mechanically couple        elements within the MMS via the FRB and the aperture;    -   the TCM comprises a metallic material having a tailored thermal        expansion coefficient (TTC);    -   the TTC is selected to compensate for thermal expansion        characteristics of the FAS and at least the FRM within the MMS        such that force applied by the FRH and the FRR portions of the        FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force        profile (TFP) over changes in temperature of the FAS and MMS;    -   the TCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with        a tailored thermal expansion coefficient in a selected range,        comprising:    -   plastically deforming the metallic material comprising a first        phase and a first thermal expansion coefficient;    -   transforming, in response to the plastic deforming, at least        some of the first phase into a second phase; and    -   orienting the metallic material in at least one selected        orientation;    -   wherein:    -   the metallic material comprises an alloy with a mixture of        phases;    -   the mixture of phases comprises at least one phase capable of a        martensitic transformation that is embedded in another phase or        phases that may or may not be capable of martensitic        transformation;        -   the second phase comprises martensite;        -   the plastic deforming comprises mechanical deformation;        -   the metallic material, subsequent to the plastic            deformation, comprises a second thermal expansion            coefficient;        -   the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a            selected range; and        -   the second thermal expansion coefficient quantifies thermal            expansion of the metallic material in at least one selected            direction.            This general system summary may be augmented by the various            elements described herein to produce a wide variety of            invention embodiments consistent with this overall design            description.

Second Alternative System Summary

A second alternative present invention system embodiment may be broadlygeneralized as a thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system comprising:

-   -   (a) fastener (FAS);    -   (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR); and    -   (c) mechanical member stack (MMS);    -   wherein:    -   the FAS comprises a fastener retention head (FRH), a fastener        retention body (FRB), and a fastener retention tip (FRT);    -   the FRR comprises an engaging surface conforming to the FRT;    -   the MMS comprises a temperature compensating member (TCM) and at        least a first retention member (FRM);    -   the FRB of the FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in the        MMS;    -   the FRH and the FRR are configured to mechanically couple        elements within the MMS via the FRB and the aperture;    -   the TCM comprises a metallic material having a tailored thermal        expansion coefficient (TTC);    -   the TTC is selected to compensate for thermal expansion        characteristics of the FAS and at least the FRM within the MMS        such that force applied by the FRH and the FRR portions of the        FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force        profile (TFP) over changes in temperature of the FAS and MMS;    -   the TCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with        a tailored thermal expansion coefficient in a selected range,        comprising:    -   plastically deforming the metallic material by applying tension        in a first direction;    -   wherein:    -   the metallic material prior to the plastic deformation        substantially comprises a first phase;    -   the application of the tension transforms at least some of the        first phase into a second phase;    -   subsequent to the tensile plastic deformation, the metallic        material comprises a coefficient of thermal expansion within a        selected range;    -   the coefficient of thermal expansion quantifies thermal        expansion of the metallic material in at least one second        direction; and    -   the second direction is perpendicular or parallel to the first        direction.        This general system summary may be augmented by the various        elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention        embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Third Alternative System Summary

A third alternative present invention system embodiment may be broadlygeneralized as a thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system comprising:

-   -   (a) fastener (FAS);    -   (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR); and    -   (c) mechanical member stack (MMS);    -   wherein:    -   the FAS comprises a fastener retention head (FRH), a fastener        retention body (FRB), and a fastener retention tip (FRT);    -   the FRR comprises an engaging surface conforming to the FRT;    -   the MMS comprises a temperature compensating member (TCM) and at        least a first retention member (FRM);    -   the FRB of the FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in the        MMS;    -   the FRH and the FRR are configured to mechanically couple        elements within the MMS via the FRB and the aperture;    -   the TCM comprises a metallic material having a tailored thermal        expansion coefficient (TTC);    -   the TTC is selected to compensate for thermal expansion        characteristics of the FAS and at least the FRM within the MMS        such that force applied by the FRH and the FRR portions of the        FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force        profile (TFP) over changes in temperature of the FAS and MMS;    -   the TCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with        a tailored thermal expansion coefficient in a selected range,        comprising:    -   plastically deforming the metallic material by applying        compression in a first direction;    -   wherein:    -   the metallic material prior to the compressive plastic        deformation substantially comprises a first phase;    -   the compressive plastic deformation of the metallic material        transforms at least some of the first phase into a second phase        using a compressive force in a first direction;    -   subsequent to the compressive plastic deformation of the        metallic material, the metallic material comprises a coefficient        of thermal expansion within a selected range;    -   the coefficient of thermal expansion quantifies thermal        expansion of the metallic material in at least a second        direction; and    -   the second direction is perpendicular or parallel to the first        direction.        This general system summary may be augmented by the various        elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention        embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Fourth Alternative System Summary

A fourth alternative present invention system embodiment may be broadlygeneralized as a thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) system comprising:

-   -   (a) fastener (FAS);    -   (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR); and    -   (c) mechanical member stack (MMS);    -   wherein:    -   the FAS comprises a fastener retention head (FRH), a fastener        retention body (FRB), and a fastener retention tip (FRT);    -   the FRR comprises an engaging surface conforming to the FRT;    -   the MMS comprises a temperature compensating member (TCM) and at        least a first retention member (FRM);    -   the FRB of the FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in the        MMS;    -   the FRH and the FRR are configured to mechanically couple        elements within the MMS via the FRB and the aperture;    -   the TCM comprises a metallic material having a tailored thermal        expansion coefficient (TTC);    -   the TTC is selected to compensate for thermal expansion        characteristics of the FAS and at least the FRM within the MMS        such that force applied by the FRH and the FRR portions of the        FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specific temperature force        profile (TFP) over changes in temperature of the FAS and MMS;    -   the TCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with        a tailored thermal expansion coefficient in a selected range,        comprising:    -   plastically deforming a metallic material comprising a first        thermal expansion coefficient;    -   wherein:    -   the metallic material comprises an alloy;    -   the metallic material is comprised of a martensitic phase with        or without the presence of other phases;        -   the plastic deforming comprises mechanical deformation;        -   the martensitic phase in the metallic material is oriented            in at least one selected orientation in response to the            mechanical deforming;    -   the metallic material, subsequent to the plastic deforming,        comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient due to the        orientation;    -   the second thermal expansion coefficient is within a selected        range; and    -   the second thermal expansion coefficient quantifies thermal        expansion of the metallic material in at least one selected        direction.        This general system summary may be augmented by the various        elements described herein to produce a wide variety of invention        embodiments consistent with this overall design description.

Method Summary

A preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention method may bebroadly generalized as a thermally stabilized fastener methodcomprising:

-   -   (1) Selecting a fastener (FAS) type and size (this may occur        from one or more FAS databases (0810)) (0801);    -   (2) Selecting a fastener retention receiver (FRR) type and size        (this may occur from one or more FRR databases (0820)) (0802);    -   (3) Selecting the mechanical member stack (MMS) retention        member(s) and thickness(es) (this may occur from one or more        material databases describing the materials in the MMS (0830))        (0803);    -   (4) Determining a thermal expansion rate (TER) for a combined        thermal expansion differential for the FAS, the FRR, and the MMS        (information for this calculation may occur from one or more        FAS, FRR, and MMS databases (0810, 0820, 0830)) (0804);    -   (5) Selecting a tailored CTE material with a compensating        coefficient of expansion to compensate for the TER of the        combination of the FAS, the FRR, and the MMS (this selection may        be defined in a CTE material database (0840)) (0805);    -   (6) Determining the TCM thickness requirements for a desired        mechanical load across a desired temperature range (0806);    -   (7) Fabricating the tailored CTE material to a desired form and        thickness for insertion in the MMS (0807);    -   (8) Placing the fabricated CTE material in the MMS (0808); and    -   (9) Securing the CTE material and the MMS combination using the        FAS and the FRR (0809).        This general method may be modified heavily depending on a        number of factors, with rearrangement and/or addition/deletion        of steps anticipated by the scope of the present invention.        Integration of this and other preferred exemplary embodiment        methods in conjunction with a variety of preferred exemplary        embodiment systems described herein is anticipated by the        overall scope of the present invention.

System/Method Variations

The present invention anticipates a wide variety of variations in thebasic theme of construction. The examples presented previously do notrepresent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite afew of the almost limitless possibilities.

This basic system, method, and product-by-process may be augmented witha variety of ancillary embodiments, including but not limited to:

-   -   An embodiment wherein the metallic material comprises a material        selected from a group consisting of:        -   (1) a material characterized by a general formula            Ti_(100-A)X_(A), wherein X is at least one of Ni, Nb, Mo,            Ta, Pd, Pt, or combinations thereof, and A is in a range            from 0 to 75 atomic percent composition;        -   (2) a material characterized by a general formula            Ti_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Pd,            Hf, Zr, Al, Pt, Au, Fe, Co, Cr, Mo, V, O or combinations            thereof, and A is in a range from 0 to 55 atomic percent            composition, and B is in a range from 0 to 75 atomic percent            composition such that A plus B is less than 100;        -   (3) a material characterized by a general formula            Ti_(100-A-B)Nb_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Al,            Sn, Ta, Hf, Zr, Al, Au, Pt, Fe, Co, Cr, Mo, V, O, or            combinations thereof, and A is in a range from 0 to 55            atomic percent composition, and B is in a range from 0 to 75            atomic percent composition such that A plus B is less than            100;        -   (4) a material characterized by a general formula            Ti_(100-A-B)Ta_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Al,            Sn, Nb, Zr, Mo, Al, Au, Pt, Fe, Co, Cr, Hf, V, O, or            combinations thereof, and A is in a range from 0 to 55            atomic percent composition, and B is in a range from 0 to 75            atomic percent composition such that A plus B is less than            100;        -   (5) a material characterized by a general formula            Ni_(100-A-B)Mn_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Ga,            In, Sn, Al, Sb, Co, or combinations thereof, and A is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A            plus B is less than 100;        -   (6) a material characterized by a general formula            Ni_(100-A-B-C)Mn_(A)Co_(B)X_(C), wherein X is at least one            of Ga, In, Sn, Al, Sb, or combinations thereof, and A is in            a range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, B is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and C is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A            plus B plus C is less than 100;        -   (7) a material characterized by a general formula            Ni_(100-A-B)Fe_(A)Ga_(B) wherein A is in a range from 0 to            50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a range from 0 to            50 atomic percent composition such that A plus B is less            than 100;        -   (8) a material characterized by a general formula            Cu_(100-A)X_(A), wherein X is at least one of Zn, Ni, Mn,            Al, Be, or combinations thereof, and A is in a range from 0            to 75 atomic percent composition;        -   (9) a material characterized by a general formula            Cu_(100-A-B)Al_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Zn,            Ni, Mn, Be, or combinations thereof, and A is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A plus B            is less than 100;        -   (10) a material characterized by a general formula            Cu_(100-A-B-C)Mn_(A)Al_(B)X_(C), wherein X is at least one            of Zn, Ni, Be, or combinations thereof, and A is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, B is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and C is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A plus B            plus C is less than 100;        -   (11) a material characterized by a general formula            Co_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Al,            Ga, Sn, Sb, In, or combinations thereof, and A is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a range            from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A plus B            is less than 100;        -   (12) a material characterized by a general formula            Fe_(100-A-B)Mn_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Ga,            Ni, Co, Al, Ta, Si, or combinations thereof, and A is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A            plus B is less than 100;        -   (13) a material characterized by a general formula            Fe_(100-A-B)Ni_(A)X_(B), wherein X is at least one of Ga,            Mn, Co, Al, Ta, Si, or combinations thereof, and A is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and B is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that A            plus B is less than 100;        -   (14) a material characterized by a general formula            Fe_(100-A-B-C)Ni_(A)Co_(B)A1_(C)X_(D), wherein X is at least            one of Ti, Ta, Nb, Cr, W or combinations thereof, and A is            in a range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, B is in            a range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, C is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition, and D is in a            range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such that such            that A plus B plus C plus D is less than 100;

(15) a material characterized by a general formulaFe_(100-A-B-C)Ni_(A)Co_(B)Ti_(C)X_(D), wherein X is at least one of Al,Ta, Nb, Cr, W or combinations thereof, and A is in a range from 0 to 50atomic percent composition, B is in a range from 0 to 50 atomic percentcomposition, C is in a range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition,and D is in a range from 0 to 50 atomic percent composition such thatsuch that A plus B plus C plus D is less than 100;

-   -   An embodiment wherein the deforming is achieved by at least one        of:        -   (1) hot-rolling;        -   (2) cold-rolling;        -   (3) plain strain compression;        -   (4) bi-axial tension;        -   (5) conformal processing;        -   (6) bending;        -   (7) drawing;        -   (8) wire-drawing;        -   (9) swaging;        -   (10) conventional extrusion;        -   (11) equal channel angular extrusion;        -   (12) precipitation heat treatment under stress;        -   (13) tempering;        -   (14) annealing;        -   (15) sintering;        -   (16) tension processing;        -   (17) compression processing;        -   (18) torsion processing;        -   (19) cyclic thermal training under stress; and        -   (20) combinations thereof.    -   An embodiment wherein the predetermined range of the coefficient        of thermal expansion ranges from −150×10⁻⁶K⁻¹ to +500×10⁻⁶K⁻¹.    -   An embodiment wherein the deforming of the metallic material        further comprises texturing the metallic material in a direction        comprising at least one of a [111], a [100], or a [001]        direction.    -   An embodiment wherein the second thermal expansion coefficient        is negative.    -   An embodiment wherein the sum of the first thermal expansion        coefficient and the second thermal expansion coefficient is        zero.    -   An embodiment wherein:    -   the deforming the metallic material comprises applying tension        in at least one direction; and    -   the second thermal expansion characteristic subsequent to the        deformation is in the at least one direction.    -   An embodiment wherein:    -   the deforming the metallic material comprises applying        compression in a first direction;    -   the second thermal expansion characteristic subsequent to the        deformation is in at least one predetermined direction; and    -   the at least one predetermined direction is perpendicular to the        first direction.    -   An embodiment wherein:    -   the deforming the metallic material comprises applying shear in        a first direction;    -   the second thermal expansion characteristic subsequent to        deformation is in at least one predetermined direction; and    -   the at least one predetermined direction is 45° to the first        direction.    -   An embodiment wherein the plastic deforming of the metallic        material comprises applying tension in at least one direction,        wherein the tailored thermal expansion of the metallic material        subsequent to the plastic deforming of the metallic material is        in the at least one direction in the metallic material.    -   An embodiment wherein the plastic deforming of the metallic        material comprises applying compression in a first direction,        wherein the tailored thermal expansion of the metallic material        subsequent to the plastic deforming of the metallic material is        in at least one selected direction, and wherein the selected        direction is perpendicular to the first direction.    -   An embodiment wherein the plastic deforming of the metallic        material comprises applying shear in a first direction, wherein        the tailored thermal expansion of the metallic material        subsequent to the plastic deforming of the metallic material is        in at least one selected direction, and wherein the selected        direction is 45° to the first direction.    -   An embodiment wherein the metallic material comprises:        -   NiTi, NiFeGa, TiNb, TiMo, CuMnAlNi, CuMnAl, CuZnAl, CuNiAl,            FeNiCoTi, CuAlBe, or is at least one of:            -   characterized by a general formula NiTiX, wherein X is                at least one of Pd, Hf, Zr, Al, Pt, Au;            -   characterized by a general formula NiMnX, wherein X is                at least one of Ga, In, Sn, Al, Sb;            -   characterized by a general formula NiCoMnX, wherein X is                at least one of Ga, In, Sn, Al, Sb;            -   characterized by a general formula TiNbX, wherein X is                at least one of Al, Sn, Ta, Zr, Mo, Hf, V, O;            -   characterized by a general formula CoNiX, wherein X is                at least one of Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, In;            -   characterized by a general formula TiTaX, wherein X is                at least one of Al, Sn, Nb, Zr, Mo, Hf, V, O;            -   characterized by a general formula FeMnX, wherein X is                at least one of Ga, Mn, Ni, Co, Al, Ta, Si;            -   characterized by a general formula FeNiCoAlX, wherein X                is at least one of Ta, Ti, Nb, Cr, W;            -   and combinations thereof.    -   An embodiment wherein the plastic deforming is achieved by at        least one of hot-rolling, cold-rolling, plane strain        compression, bi-axial tension, conformal processing, bending,        drawing, wire-drawing, swaging, conventional extrusion, equal        channel angular extrusion, precipitation heat treatment under        stress, tempering, annealing, sintering, monotonic tension        processing, monotonic compression processing, monotonic torsion        processing, cyclic thermal training under stress, and        combinations thereof.    -   An embodiment further comprising combining the plastically        deformed metallic material with a different type of material to        form a two-dimensional composite material, wherein the different        type of material is at least one of a polymer and a ceramic.    -   An embodiment further comprising combining the plastically        deformed metallic material into a different type of material to        form one of a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional composite        material.    -   An embodiment wherein the composite material comprises at least        one ceramic, polymer, or second metallic material, or        combinations thereof, wherein the second metallic material is        different than the plastically deformed metallic material.    -   An embodiment wherein the thermally stabilized fastener (TSF)        comprises:        -   (1) A tubular fastener retention body (FRB) that is            internally threaded;        -   (2) A first fastener retention receiver (FRR) that is            externally threaded and engages the internal threads of FRB;        -   (3) A mechanical member stack (MMS) inside the FRB that does            not engage the internal threads and is in contact with the            first FRR; and        -   (4) A second FRR that engages the internal threads of the            FRB and applies a clamping force to the first FRR through            the MMS.    -   An embodiment wherein the FAS comprises a rivet.    -   An embodiment wherein the FAS comprises a tubular fastener.    -   An embodiment wherein the FAS is a fastener selected from a        group consisting of: bolt; cap screw; socket head cap screw;        rivet; and tubular rod.

One skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments arepossible based on combinations of elements taught within the aboveinvention description.

CONCLUSION

A thermally stabilized fastener system and method has been disclosed.The disclosed system/method integrates a fastener (FAS) incorporating afaster retention head (FRH), fastener retention body (FRB), and fastenerretention tip (FRT) to couple a mechanical member stack (MMS) in athermally stabilized fashion using a fastener retention receiver (FRR).The MMS includes a temperature compensating member (TCM), a firstretention member (FRM), and an optional second retention member (SRM).The TCM is constructed using a tailored thermal expansion coefficient(TTC) that permits the TCM to compensate for the thermal expansioncharacteristics of the FAS, FRM, and SRM such that the force applied bythe FRH and FRR portions of the FAS to the MMS is tailored to a specifictemperature force profile (TFP) over changes in MMS/FAS temperature. TheTCM may be selected with a TTC to achieve a uniform TFP over changes inMMS/FAS temperature.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingDetailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerousrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as set forth and defined by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) systemcomprising: (a) fastener (FAS); (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR);and (c) mechanical member stack (MMS); wherein: said FAS comprises afastener retention head (FRH), a fastener retention body (FRB), and afastener retention tip (FRT); said FRR comprises an engaging surfaceconforming to said FRT; said MMS comprises a temperature compensatingmember (TCM) and at least a first retention member (FRM); said FRB ofsaid FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in said MMS; said FRHand said FRR are configured to mechanically couple elements within saidMMS via said FRB and said aperture; said TCM comprises a metallicmaterial having a tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TTC); said TTCis selected to compensate for thermal expansion characteristics of saidFAS and at least said FRM within said MMS such that force applied bysaid FRH and said FRR portions of said FAS to said MMS is tailored to aspecific temperature force profile (TFP) over changes in temperature(ΔT) of said FAS and said MMS; said TFP exhibits a change in said force(ΔF) in response to said ΔT that is proportional to said TTC of saidTCM, such that selection of said TTC of said TCM serves to increase, notchange, or decrease said ΔF upon increases or decreases in said ΔT; saidTCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with a tailoredthermal expansion coefficient in a selected range, comprising:plastically deforming said metallic material comprising a first phaseand a first thermal expansion coefficient; transforming, in response tosaid plastic deforming, at least some of said first phase into a secondphase; and orienting said metallic material in at least one selectedorientation; wherein: said metallic material comprises an alloy with amixture of phases; said mixture of phases comprises at least one phasecapable of a martensitic transformation that is embedded in anotherphase or phases that may or may not be capable of martensitictransformation; said second phase comprises martensite; said plasticdeforming comprises mechanical deformation; said metallic material,subsequent to said plastic deformation, comprises a second thermalexpansion coefficient; said second thermal expansion coefficient iswithin a selected range; said second thermal expansion coefficientquantifies thermal expansion of said metallic material in at least oneselected direction; and said metallic material comprises: a generalformula CoNiX, wherein X is at least one of Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, In; andcombinations thereof.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plasticdeforming of said metallic material comprises applying tension in atleast one direction, wherein the tailored thermal expansion of saidmetallic material subsequent to said plastic deforming of said metallicmaterial is in the at least one direction in said metallic material. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein said plastic deforming of said metallicmaterial comprises applying compression in a first direction, whereinthe tailored thermal expansion of said metallic material subsequent tosaid plastic deforming of said metallic material is in at least oneselected direction, and wherein said selected direction is perpendicularto said first direction.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said plasticdeforming of said metallic material comprises applying shear in a firstdirection, wherein the tailored thermal expansion of said metallicmaterial subsequent to said plastic deforming of said metallic materialis in at least one selected direction, and wherein said selecteddirection is 45° to said first direction.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein said plastic deforming is achieved by at least one ofhot-rolling, cold-rolling, plane strain compression, bi-axial tension,conformal processing, bending, drawing, wire-drawing, swaging,conventional extrusion, equal channel angular extrusion, precipitationheat treatment under stress, monotonic tension processing, monotoniccompression processing, monotonic torsion processing, cyclic thermaltraining under stress, and combinations thereof.
 6. The system of claim1, further comprising a combination of said plastically deformedmetallic material with a different type of material to form a laminatedcomposite material, wherein said different type of material is at leastone of a polymer, a ceramic, and a metallic material.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a combination of said plastically deformedmetallic material into a different type of material to form one of acomposite material.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said compositematerial comprises at least one ceramic, polymer, or second metallicmaterial, or combinations thereof, wherein said second metallic materialis different than said plastically deformed metallic material.
 9. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said FAS is a fastener selected from a groupconsisting of: bolt; cap screw; socket head cap screw; rivet; andtubular rod.
 10. A thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) systemcomprising: (a) fastener (FAS); (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR);and (c) mechanical member stack (MMS); wherein: said FAS comprises afastener retention head (FRH), a fastener retention body (FRB), and afastener retention tip (FRT); said FRR comprises an engaging surfaceconforming to said FRT; said MMS comprises a temperature compensatingmember (TCM) and at least a first retention member (FRM); said FRB ofsaid FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in said MMS; said FRHand said FRR are configured to mechanically couple elements within saidMMS via said FRB and said aperture; said TCM comprises a metallicmaterial having a tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TTC); said TTCis selected to compensate for thermal expansion characteristics of saidFAS and at least said FRM within said MMS such that force applied bysaid FRH and said FRR portions of said FAS to said MMS is tailored to aspecific temperature force profile (TFP) over changes in temperature(ΔT) of said FAS and said MMS; said TFP exhibits a change in said force(ΔF) in response to said ΔT that is proportional to said TTC of saidTCM, such that selection of said TTC of said TCM serves to increase, notchange, or decrease said ΔF upon increases or decreases in said ΔT; saidTCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with a tailoredthermal expansion coefficient in a selected range, comprising:plastically deforming said metallic material by applying tension in afirst direction; wherein: said metallic material prior to said plasticdeformation substantially comprises a first phase; said application ofsaid tension transforms at least some of said first phase into a secondphase; subsequent to said tensile plastic deformation, said metallicmaterial comprises a coefficient of thermal expansion within a selectedrange; said coefficient of thermal expansion quantifies thermalexpansion of said metallic material in at least one second direction;said second direction is perpendicular or parallel to said firstdirection; and said metallic material comprises: a general formulaCoNiX, wherein X is at least one of Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, In; and combinationsthereof.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein said selected range of saidtailored thermal expansion coefficient is between −150×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and+500×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹.
 12. The system of claim 10, further comprising applyingsaid tension in a third direction, wherein said coefficient of thermalexpansion quantifying thermal expansion of said metallic material isparallel or perpendicular to said third direction.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein said tensile plastic deformation is achieved by atleast one of: hot-rolling; cold-rolling; plane strain compression;bi-axial tension; conformal processing; bending; drawing; wire-drawing;swaging; conventional extrusion; equal channel angular extrusion;precipitation heat treatment under stress; monotonic tension processing;monotonic compression processing; monotonic torsion processing; cyclicthermal training under stress; and combinations thereof.
 14. The systemof claim 10, wherein said tensile plastic deformation of said metallicmaterial further comprises texturing said metallic material in adirection comprising at least one of a [111], a [100], or a [001]direction.
 15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a combinationof said plastically deformed metallic material with a different type ofmaterial to form a laminated composite material, wherein said differenttype of material is at least one of a polymer, a ceramic, and a metallicmaterial.
 16. The system of claim 10, further comprising a combinationof said plastically deformed metallic material into a different type ofmaterial to form one of a composite material.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein said composite material comprises at least one ceramic,polymer, or second metallic material, or combinations thereof, whereinsaid second metallic material is different than said plasticallydeformed metallic material.
 18. The system of claim 10, wherein said FASis a fastener selected from a group consisting of: bolt; cap screw;socket head cap screw; rivet; and tubular rod.
 19. A thermallystabilized fastener (TSF) system comprising: (a) fastener (FAS); (b)fastener retention receiver (FRR); and (c) mechanical member stack(MMS); wherein: said FAS comprises a fastener retention head (FRH), afastener retention body (FRB), and a fastener retention tip (FRT); saidFRR comprises an engaging surface conforming to said FRT; said MMScomprises a temperature compensating member (TCM) and at least a firstretention member (FRM); said FRB of said FAS is positioned pass throughan aperture in said MMS; said FRH and said FRR are configured tomechanically couple elements within said MMS via said FRB and saidaperture; said TCM comprises a metallic material having a tailoredthermal expansion coefficient (TTC); said TTC is selected to compensatefor thermal expansion characteristics of said FAS and at least said FRMwithin said MMS such that force applied by said FRH and said FRRportions of said FAS to said MMS is tailored to a specific temperatureforce profile (TFP) over changes in temperature (ΔT) of said FAS andsaid MMS; said TFP exhibits a change in said force (ΔF) in response tosaid ΔT that is proportional to said TTC of said TCM, such thatselection of said TTC of said TCM serves to increase, not change, ordecrease said ΔF upon increases or decreases in said ΔT; said TCM isconstructed by manufacturing a metallic material with a tailored thermalexpansion coefficient in a selected range, comprising: plasticallydeforming said metallic material by applying compression in a firstdirection; wherein: said metallic material prior to said compressiveplastic deformation substantially comprises a first phase; saidcompressive plastic deformation of said metallic material transforms atleast some of said first phase into a second phase using a compressiveforce in a first direction; subsequent to said compressive plasticdeformation of said metallic material, said metallic material comprisesa coefficient of thermal expansion within a selected range; saidcoefficient of thermal expansion quantifies thermal expansion of saidmetallic material in at least a second direction; said second directionis perpendicular or parallel to said first direction; and said metallicmaterial comprises: a general formula CoNiX, wherein X is at least oneof Al, Ga, Sn, Sb, In; and combinations thereof.
 20. The system of claim19, wherein said compressive plastic deformation is achieved by at leastone of: hot-rolling; cold-rolling; plane strain compression; bi-axialtension; conformal processing; bending; drawing; wire-drawing; swaging;conventional extrusion; equal channel angular extrusion; precipitationheat treatment under stress; monotonic tension processing; monotoniccompression processing; monotonic torsion processing; cyclic thermaltraining under stress; and combinations thereof.
 21. The system of claim19, further comprising thermal expansion of said metallic material in athird direction, wherein said third direction is parallel orperpendicular to said first direction.
 22. The system of claim 19, saidplastic deformation of said metallic material further comprisestexturing said metallic material in a direction comprising at least oneof a [111], a [100], or a [001] direction.
 23. The system of claim 19,further comprising a combination of said plastically deformed metallicmaterial with a different type of material to form a laminated compositematerial, wherein said different type of material is at least one of apolymer, a ceramic, and a metallic material.
 24. The system of claim 19,further comprising a combination of said plastically deformed metallicmaterial into a different type of material to form one of a compositematerial.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein said composite materialcomprises at least one ceramic, polymer, or second metallic material, orcombinations thereof, wherein said second metallic material is differentthan said plastically deformed metallic material.
 26. The system ofclaim 19, wherein said selected range of said tailored thermal expansioncoefficient is between −150×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ and +500×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹.
 27. The systemof claim 19, wherein said FAS is a fastener selected from a groupconsisting of: bolt; cap screw; socket head cap screw; rivet; andtubular rod.
 28. A thermally stabilized fastener (TSF) systemcomprising: (a) fastener (FAS); (b) fastener retention receiver (FRR);and (c) mechanical member stack (MMS); wherein: said FAS comprises afastener retention head (FRH), a fastener retention body (FRB), and afastener retention tip (FRT); said FRR comprises an engaging surfaceconforming to said FRT; said MMS comprises a temperature compensatingmember (TCM) and at least a first retention member (FRM); said FRB ofsaid FAS is positioned pass through an aperture in said MMS; said FRHand said FRR are configured to mechanically couple elements within saidMMS via said FRB and said aperture; said TCM comprises a metallicmaterial having a tailored thermal expansion coefficient (TTC); said TTCis selected to compensate for thermal expansion characteristics of saidFAS and at least said FRM within said MMS such that force applied bysaid FRH and said FRR portions of said FAS to said MMS is tailored to aspecific temperature force profile (TFP) over changes in temperature(ΔT) of said FAS and said MMS; said TFP exhibits a change in said force(ΔF) in response to said ΔT that is proportional to said TTC of saidTCM, such that selection of said TTC of said TCM serves to increase, notchange, or decrease said ΔF upon increases or decreases in said ΔT; saidTCM is constructed by manufacturing a metallic material with a tailoredthermal expansion coefficient in a selected range, comprising:plastically deforming a metallic material comprising a first thermalexpansion coefficient; wherein: said metallic material comprises analloy; said metallic material is comprised of a martensitic phase withor without the presence of other phases; said plastic deformingcomprises mechanical deformation; said martensitic phase in saidmetallic material is oriented in at least one selected orientation inresponse to said mechanical deforming; said metallic material,subsequent to said plastic deforming, comprises a second thermalexpansion coefficient due to said orientation; said second thermalexpansion coefficient is within a selected range; said second thermalexpansion coefficient quantifies thermal expansion of said metallicmaterial in at least one selected direction; and said metallic materialcomprises: a general formula CoNiX, wherein X is at least one of Al, Ga,Sn, Sb, In; and combinations thereof.
 29. The system of claim 28,wherein said plastic deforming is achieved by at least one ofhot-rolling, cold-rolling, plane strain compression, bi-axial tension,conformal processing, bending, drawing, wire-drawing, swaging,conventional extrusion, equal channel angular extrusion, precipitationheat treatment under stress, monotonic tension processing, monotoniccompression processing, monotonic torsion processing, cyclic thermaltraining under stress, and combinations thereof.
 30. The system of claim28, wherein said alloy is oriented in a direction comprising at leastone of a [111], [100], or [001] direction.
 31. The system of claim 28,wherein said FAS is a fastener selected from a group consisting of:bolt; cap screw; socket head cap screw; rivet; and tubular rod.